Abstract: A thermostat resists tampering by including a hidden mechanism for switching from a limit setting mode to an operation mode. In some embodiments, the switching mechanism is in the form of a tamper proof switch or jumper on the thermostat's circuit board. The switching mechanism can be hidden from a potential non-administrative user and can be located on the circuit board of the thermostat, as opposed to on the external housing. While the switching mechanism is in limit setting mode, the limits of the thermostat's temperature range can be adjusted. Once these limits have been set, the adjuster can move the switching mechanism to operation mode, and the thermostat will now be able to maintain temperatures within the new limit settings.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a network device that detects a communication failure associated with a first communication network and generates a failure command for a remote device to transmit a failure signal over a second communication network. The failure signal represents the communication failure. A method includes detecting a communication failure associated with a first communication network, generating a failure command for a remote device to transmit a failure signal over a second communication network, and transmitting the failure command to the remote device. The network device may take a corrective action in response to receiving a recovery signal from the remote device.

Abstract: An apparatus determining network health comprising base stations in bidirectional communication with radios, each having an identifier and transmitting a signal including the identifier. First and second health determining devices each receive the signal during normal over-the-air operation of radio and determine if the radio is authorized and, if so, determine the identifier, time-separated signal waveforms that are compared, operating characteristics from the compared waveforms, and a current location of the radio. Each of the devices determine health of the radio based on packet sniffing, a frequency deviation, or a range of deviations by analyzing the operating characteristics. After analysis results sent to the master controller from the devices indicate that the authorized radio is healthy, the master controller determines from the analysis results that a geographically unhealthy location of the network exists within the geographic area from which the authorized healthy radio transmitted the signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) network switchover and emergency procedures, implemented by a UAV includes communicating to an Air Traffic Control (ATC) system via a primary wireless network; receiving and storing emergency instructions from the ATC system; detecting communication disruption on the primary wireless network to the ATC system; responsive to the detecting, switching to a backup wireless network to reestablish communication to the ATC system; and, responsive to failing to reestablish communication to the ATC system via the backup wireless network, implementing the emergency instructions.

Abstract: A electrode assembly includes an electrode pair having a positive electrode and a negative electrode that are arranged crosswise and each z-folded while being cross-woven together in a continuous manner. The electrode assembly includes an electrode stack in which portions of the positive electrode are stacked along a stack axis so as to alternate with portions of the negative electrode.

Abstract: An assembly and method of manufacture of a radio frequency identification (RFID) assembly having a passive RFID semiconductor chip and a two sided planar antenna and a spacer composed of an electrically non-conducting foam material that is configured for non-absorbing of a substantial amount of energy at the predetermined operating frequency, the spacer having a predetermined thickness and that is configured for non-absorbing of a substantial amount of radio frequency energy at the predetermined operating frequency wherein the RFID tag assembly is configured to receive at a first side of the two sided planar antenna a first portion of the radio frequency energy as direct energy and is configured to receive at a second side of the planar antenna a second portion of the radio frequency energy as indirect energy responsive to the absorbing by the absorbing material body.

Abstract: An overfill valve associated with a drop tube segment fluidly connected to a fluid reservoir is described. The overfill valve includes a valve body positioned within the drop tube segment and a non-contact valve actuator positioned exterior to the drop tube segment and operable to actuate the valve body from an open position to a closed position without requiring any physical penetration through the wall of the drop tube segment. The non-contact valve actuator has a first position in which the non-contact valve actuator does not actuate the valve body from the open position to the closed position in a second position, achieved when the liquid reservoir reaches a predetermined level approaching the capacity of the liquid reservoir, the non-contact valve actuator actuating the valve body from the open position to the closed position when the non-contact valve actuator obtains the second position.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for hybrid electric internal combustion engine applications in which a motor-generator, a narrow switchable coupling and a torque transfer unit therebetween are arranged and positioned in the constrained environment at the front of an engine in applications such as commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles and stationary engine installations. The motor-generator is preferably positioned laterally offset from the switchable coupling, which is co-axially-arranged with the front end of the engine crankshaft. The switchable coupling is an integrated unit in which a crankshaft vibration damper, an engine accessory drive pulley and a disengageable clutch overlap such that the axial depth of the clutch-pulley-damper unit is nearly the same as a conventional belt drive pulley and engine damper. The front end motor-generator system includes an electrical energy store that receives electrical energy generated by the motor-generator when the coupling is engaged.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are based on the idea of providing a device (2) for handling a hose (3) and a fuel dispensing unit (1) having such a device (2). This is basically achieved by an elastic element (13) that is adapted to extend within a frame element (8) and to be guided by a guiding element (9, 10), and by a hose guiding means (15) which is movable away from said frame element (8) allowing said hose (3) to be pulled from an idle position to an operating position when said elastic element (13) is extended.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide surface compositions and methods for porous, flexible, and durable surfaces that may stabilize native soil, provide substantially uniform drainage of moisture, and provide a barrier between the native soil, vegetation, and other compositions disposed over the surface composition, such as sand and/or soil. The compositions and methods may comprise utilizing a liquid coating composition, liquid binder, and/or antimicrobial composition in combination with a particulate material configured to provide a desired pore size, elasticity, compression, and/or stability to the surface composition. Various embodiments of the surface composition may form a prefabricated flexible bunker liner for application to the native soil in a golf course bunker beneath sand.

Abstract: Systems and method for verifying a cell site utilizing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) include providing an initial point cloud related to the cell site to the UAV; developing a second point cloud based on current conditions at the cell site, wherein the second point cloud is based on data acquisition using the UAV at the cell site; detecting variations between the initial point cloud and the second point cloud; and, responsive to detecting the variations, determining whether the variations are any of compliance related, load issues, and defects associated with any equipment or structures at the cell site.

Abstract: An aircraft starting and generating system includes a starter/generator and an inverter/converter/controller (200) that is connected to the starter/generator and that generates AC power to drive the starter/generator in a start mode for starting a prime mover of the aircraft, and that converts AC power, obtained from the starter/generator after the prime mover have been started, to DC power in a generate mode of the starter/generator. A four leg inverter is coupled with a DC power output (452) of the starter/generator and has an inverter/converter/controller (ICC) (580) with a four leg MOSFET-based bridge configuration that drives the starter/generator in a start mode for starting a prime mover of the aircraft, and converts DC power to AC power in a generate mode of the starter/generator. A four leg bridge gate driver (560) is configured to drive the four leg MOSFET-based bridge (580) during start and generate mode using bi-polar pulse width modulation (PWM).

Abstract: Fiber optic cable sub-assemblies comprise a fiber optic cable including at least one optical fiber, a cable jacket that houses the optical fiber and at least one strength member. The fiber optic cable sub-assembly further comprises a collar including an inner portion seated within a cavity of an outer portion, wherein the inner portion is attached to an end portion of the strength member of the cable, and the optical fiber extends through the collar to protrude from an outer axial end of the collar. Methods of assembling a fiber optic cable sub-assembly include providing a cable having a strength member along with a collar having an inner portion and an outer portion, attaching the inner portion to an end portion of the strength member so the optical fiber extends from an outer axial end of the collar along with methods for making cable assemblies.

Abstract: A liquid separator and concentrator is disclosed. An example liquid separator and concentrator includes a separator column. A spray chamber has a sprayer nozzle to spray an influent within the spray chamber and create a falling film in the separator column. A heating jacket surrounds the separator column, wherein the heating jacket heats the falling film to evaporate at least one portion of the falling film and leaves a concentrate. A concentrate collection vessel receives the concentrate from the separator column.

Abstract: A plug is provided that includes a mandrel, a sealing element, a slip and ramp assembly, a lock ring, at least one antirotation device, and a lower ball standoff. The slip and ramp assembly have linear and radial angles allowing a mandrel wall that is thin when compared to the overall diameter of the mandrel. The sealing element is configured so that when set additional pressure from the surface increases the sealing ability of the sealing element. Antirotation devices are provided to assist in mill out. Lock ring is provided to keep the slips in their set position and a further configured so that additional downward forces increase the locking ability of lock ring. A lower ball standoff is provided so that in the event of reverse flow a ball from below is prevented from lodging within the plug and is held at the lower end of the plug were standoffs are provided to allow fluid flow around the ball.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed, and one includes determining a network resource state, based at least in part on a delay level of the network resource, determining a first priority user demand and a second priority user demand for the network resource, and upon the network resource state meeting a condition, adjusting an allocation of network resource bandwidth to the first priority user and an allocation of network resource bandwidth to the second priority user adjusting. The update of the allocation of network resource bandwidth to the first priority user is based at least in part on a combination of the first priority user demand, the second priority user demand, a first priority user guaranteed bandwidth, and a capacity of the network resource. The update of the allocation of network resource bandwidth to the second priority user is based at least in part on the adjusted allocation of network resource bandwidth to the first priority user.

Abstract: A carton for packaging one or more articles. The carton includes a plurality of panels for forming a tubular structure. The plurality of panels forming a tubular structure includes a first side wall panel, a first end wall panel, a second side wall panel; and second end wall panel. The carton includes a first handle structure defined in a first one of the plurality of panels. The first handle structure includes a severance line defining at least in part a handle opening. The carton includes a first end closure panel forming, at least in part, top wall which at least partially closes an upper end of the tubular structure and which is hingedly connected to the first one of the plurality of panels by a first hinged connection. The carton includes a first reinforcing flap hingedly connected to the first end closure panel by a second hinged connection. The second hinged connection is offset from the first hinged connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating an aerial vehicle are provided. One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for navigating an aircraft. The method includes receiving, by one or more processors, one or more first geographic coordinates via an interface configured to receive geographic coordinates from a satellite transmission. The method includes receiving, by the one or more processors, one or more second geographic coordinates via an interface configured to receive geographic coordinates from a ground transmission. The method includes determining, by the one or more processors, that the one or more first geographic coordinates and the one or more second geographic coordinates are inconsistent. The method includes updating, by the one or more processors, a flight plan using the one or more second geographic coordinates when the one or more first geographic coordinates are inconsistent with the one or more second geographic coordinates.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a gaming apparatus provides for an electronic baccarat game in which game elements are placed in a game element matrix within which a plurality of paylines are defined. Each payline consists of a baccarat hand which includes a first subset of game element positions attributed to the Player side and a second subset of game element positions attributed to the Banker side. In one embodiment, a player may place a wager on a game instance of the baccarat game and select one of a Player side and a Banker side for the wager. A payout is determined for the game instance based on which of the Player side and the Banker side the player selected and how many of the paylines resulted in a Player side win and how many of the paylines resulted in a Banker side win.